(Chapel Hill, NC, November 15, 2016) PlayMakers Repertory Company is proud to present the regional premiere of “The May Queen” an acclaimed original comedy by Molly Smith Metzler. Directed by Vivienne Benesch, “The May Queen” is the story of Jen Nash, former high school “May Queen” who returns to her hometown as an office temp. What happens when she meets up with her former classmates? It’s a mixed-up mash-up of high school reunion meets The Office.

“The May Queen speaks to core values of community and homecoming, of our nostalgia for that shimmering time on the edge of adulthood in high school, and the power of memory to shape our present–a present that may not be anything close to what we expected,” said Vivienne Benesch, PlayMakers’ Producing Artistic Director. “We are thrilled to host the regional premiere of this special play, and a playwright whose singularly funny, human voice is like a window into our souls. Molly’s work has a huge heart to it that celebrates real people and real relationships, quirks and all, and entertains from start to finish.”

“This play is set in my beloved hometown, Kingston, New York, and is a story of one woman’s homecoming, As for most of us, the journey of ‘going home’ can take some unexpected twists and turns, and that’s what I strove to capture in this play,” explained Molly Smith Metzler. “Having PlayMakers produce the show is another kind of homecoming, as I worked with Vivienne in the original production. I hope audiences will laugh, cry and toast to their own May Queens when they watch it!

Making their PlayMakers’ debut are: Andrea Syglowski as Jen Nash (recent credits include “Benefit of Doubt” at Roundabout Theatre Company; the film “The Last Appeal,” and she will be appear as Nora in The Huntington Theatre Company’s upcoming production of “A Doll’s House”), Nate Miller as Mike Petracca (recently on stage in “Of Good Stock as Hunter” and “Ripcord” at Manhattan Theatre Club; appearing on TV in “The Good Wife” ), Rishan Dhamija as David Lund (international stage credits include “Arsenic and Old Lace” for At Rise Productions, New Delhi and “Shiva Calling” at Idea Worx Productions, New Delhi), Jenny Latimer as Nicole (Cossette in the 25th Anniversary tour of “Les Miserables”).

Returning to perform is PlayMakers’ company favorite, Julie Fishell as Gail Gillespie (“Sweeney Todd”, “Three Sisters”, and “Peter and the Starcatcher”).

This new comedy can be enjoyed by everyone who ever went to high school or who’s ever worked in an office! Contains some adult themes and language and is recommended for audiences 14 and older.

About PlayMakers:
PlayMakers is the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s College of Arts & Sciences and the Carolinas’ premier resident professional theater company. New York’s Drama League has named PlayMakers one of the “best regional theatres in America.”

Performances:
“The May Queen” takes the stage at the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art at 150 Country Club Road. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and Saturday Dec. 2. Previews: Nov. 22-23. Opening Night & Press Opening: Nov. 26. There will be no performances on Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
For information and to purchase tickets, call 919.962.7529 or visit playmakersrep.org. Individual ticket prices for “The May Queen” start at $10 for students with ID and $15 for non-students.

Special Events:
Interviews available — To schedule an interview with Molly Smith Metzler or Vivienne Benesch, call 703.850.2282
November 16, 6:30 p.m., Paul Green Theatre — “The Vision Series-Directors in Conversation,” a behind-the-scenes preview with director Vivienne Benesch and members of the creative team, moderated by Director of Education and Outreach Jenny Wales. The event is free and open to the public. Enjoy coffee and hors d’oeuvres provided by the Rivers Agency, learn about the vision for the show, and get a sneak peek at the sets and costumes in progress. Reservations are appreciated, call the Box Office at 919.962.7529.Members of the media are invited to cover the Vision Series. Photography, videography, lights and flashes are not restricted. For assistance, call 919.962.6997.

November 22 & 23, 7:30 p.m. — Preview performances

November 26, 7:30 p.m. — Opening Night & Press Opening

November 29, 7:30 p.m. — All-access performance for attendees with special needs, with sign language interpretation and audio description

November 30 & December 4, 2:00 p.m. — Free post-show discussions with the creative team

December 3, 7:30 p.m. — Open Captioned performance, with dialog, stage direction, and sound effects communicated on a “universal access” live caption unit

December 6 to 11 — Business Week at PlayMakers with a special group rate for local businesses